$48 million of cocaine to be offloaded at Miami Beach Coast Guard base

June 29, 2012|Sun Sentinel

MIAMI BEACH — The dramatic results of three drug busts on the high seas will be evident today when more than 3,800 pounds of cocaine are offloaded at the U.S. Coast Guardbase in Miami Beach.

According to the agency, the cocaine has a wholesale value of more than $48 million.

The seized drugs will be offloaded from the Coast Guard Cutter Valiant on Friday afternoon.

The Coast Guard says the cocaine was seized during three interdictions in the Caribbean starting in late May:

On May 31, more than 2,600 pounds of cocaine were seized by the Valiant with help from theU.S. Navyand Nicaraguan Navy from suspected smugglers aboard a 35-foot go-fast boat. Five people were taken into custody.

On June 10, four people were taken into custody and more than 1,000 pounds of cocaine were seized in a mission involving the Coast Guard and the Navy Frigate USS Elrod.

On June 15, the Coast Guard and the USS Carr seized 220 pounds of cocaine and took three people into custody from a 40-foot sailing vessel off the coast of Colombia.

The seizures were part of Operation Martillo, the Coast Guard said. Operation Martillo is an interagency operation meant to deter the illicit trade of drugs, weapons and cash along Central American transshipment routes.